Five new regional directors given ‘unprecedented autonomy’ as three miss out

Three of the eight most senior regional officials at the Housing Corporation have been squeezed out in a shake-up of its leadership.

The streamlined structure, finalised by chief executive Jon Rouse this week but first unveiled in July (HT 9 July, page 20 ), leaves five regional directors responsible for both regulation and investment in the corporation’s five new regions.

Previously, eight directors covered either investment or regulation across four regions.

The five new directors are:

  • Margaret Allen (Central)
  • John Carleton (North)
  • Steve Douglas (London)
  • Fiona Cruickshank (South-east)
  • Andrew Wiles (South-west).

The three former directors who have missed out are:

  • Derek King, formerly director of regulation and best value, London
  • Tansy Hepton, formerly director of regulation and best value, North
  • Nick Reed, formerly director of investment and regeneration, Central

Rouse said of the restructuring: “These appointments are incredibly important to the changes I am making. It was a very difficult process, but I am very pleased with the team I have in place and hope each region will now have an obvious and vocal champion.”

King and Hepton have been offered jobs leading revamped investment teams in their regions.

These appointments are incredibly important. I hope each region will have a vocal champion

Jon Rouse, Housing Corporation

This option is not available to Reed because of the changes to the regional structure.

“I am having discussions with each of the three and hope to reach an agreement by 1 October,” said Rouse.

The five regional directors will be second only to Rouse in seniority at the corporation and will have an unprecedented degree of autonomy over their regions. They will decide, for example, which associations are eligible for grant funding and the criteria they must meet for it.

A corporation source said:

“The process seems to have been pretty amicable but closely fought. Ultimately, someone had to lose out.”

A senior housing source said: “Associations will judge people on their relationships in the individual regions. But having sole responsibility for both investment and regulation will be a tough ask.

“Investment teams have to establish themselves with the newly combined regional housing and planning boards. Regulators still need to fully demonstrate that they have thrashed out an effective working relationship with the Audit Commission.”

The directors will take up their new posts on 1 October.

Five star: corporation’s new chiefs

Andrew Wiles
Now Regional director, south-west
Was Director of regulation and best value, south

Was regional director for the South-west before the 2001 reshuffle. Has worked in housing for about 25 years for both registered social landlords and councils.

Margaret Allen
NowRegional director, central
Was Director of regulation and best value, central

A former chartered accountant and longest serving of the five, Allen joined the corporation in 1992 working in its Central region. She has strong knowledge of the East Midlands.

Steve Douglas
Now Regional director, London
Was Director of investment and regeneration, London

Recruited when chief executive of Asra Greater London in 2001. Has a strong background in development and experience on the London regional housing board.

Fiona Cruickshank
Now Regional director, south-east
Was Director of investmnet and regeneration, South

A former maths and chemistry teacher who has been investment and regeneration policy head, and was also behind rural policies, at the corporation after being hired in June 2000.

John Carleton
Now Regional director, north
Was DDirector of investment and regeneration, north

Had the difficult job of following in Max Steinberg’s footsteps, but is widely seen as having made a solid start since his appointment in July 2003. Carleton had a 20-year career in the financial sector.

Source

Housing Today